Psalm 23 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Psalm 23 Short Summary:

Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known passages in the entire Bible. In Psalm 23, David presents God as a good shepherd who leads His people to places of safety and peace. He guides His sheep through the valley of the shadow of death and sets them at a table of abundant blessings.

Psalm 23 Summary

AUTHOR:

• King David authored Psalm 23.

NEW TESTAMENT REFERENCES:

• No known New Testament references.

THEMES:

• God is a good shepherd who leads His people to comfort and safety.

• God has abundant blessings for those in His care.

DEFINTIONS:

• House of the Lord – The house of the Lord has several potential meanings in the Bible (Heaven, the Temple in Jerusalem, etc.), but in Psalm 23:6 it seems David uses it to refer to being in God’s care and protection on earth, and perhaps also in heaven.

OUTLINE:

• THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD (23:1-6):

  • David portrays God as a good shepherd who guides him through life.

  • When God is his shepherd, he is in need of nothing (“I shall not want”).

  • God leads him to quiet places of rest and peace. He leads him on the paths of righteousness.

  • Whenever David had to face a dark and dreadful experience, he knew God would be with him, guiding him and protecting him with His shepherd’s rod.

  • In the presence of David’s enemies God exalted him, providing for him abundantly with overflowing blessings.

  • David ends the psalm with an expression of confidence that the rest of his life would be marked by God’s goodness towards him.

  • “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (23:6).
    

APPLICATION:

• Psalm 23 is one of the most widely known and widely read passages in the entire Bible.

• Let’s believe and embrace its message!

• It is the Good Shepherd (God) who offers the best life.

• Submitting the direction of your life over to Him is the wisest decision you can make, because He knows best how to care for sheep.

• We may not like to think of ourselves as a sheep, but we are. We don’t know how to navigate this life, there are too many surprises, too many enemies, too many corners we can’t see around.

• The Shepherd knows the land, He knows where to find pasture, He knows where the enemies are lurking, and He offers safety to those who will join His flock.

• Don’t go it alone and get gobbled up by some wolf or snare of Satan.

• The Good Shepherd will help you avoid every danger and will ultimately lead you to safety, to Heaven, where you’ll live with Him forever.